, attorney for the governor's office, was among those who said information collected by the legislative committee investigating the governor should be made available to the public.
But committee members seemed solidly behind restricting the flow of information. The
Select Committee of Inquiry
wants to keep all information secret unless it's going to be used as evidence in an attempt to impeach the governor.
Both sides made their pitches Tuesday to the legislature's
Government Administrations and Elections Committee
. Lawmakers are considering a measure that would allow the Select Committee of Inquiry to skirt open records laws during its investigation of the governor's scandals.
Rep.

Arthur O'Neill
of Southbury, the Republican co-chairman of the select committee, testified that secrecy is the "practical reality" of conducting such a sensitive investigation. He said witnesses - some of whom have testified as part of a federal investigation of the governor - might think twice about cooperating with the committee if they think information will be public.
"People who have made prior arrangements with the grand jury want to talk to us, but some are concerned a public airing of what they tell us can be used against them," O'Neill said.
The committee chairmen are backing away from a proposal made last week to keep some information secret permanently. Instead, the legislation would allow most of the information to be withheld until three months after the impeachment process, which could include House hearings and a Senate trial.
Rep.

John Wayne Fox
of Stamford, the Democratic co-chairman of the select panel, said the committee, which will recommend whether Rowland should be impeached, is similar to a grand jury, which hears secret testimony. He said the committee is "as open or more open than any impeachment process in history."
Garber asked how the committee would determine what information was relevant evidence and would be made public and what information would be held until three months after the inquiry ends. "If members of the committee see (information), I would submit it's evidence because the decision makers are looking at it and considering it," Garber asked.
The committee has come under fire for secrecy in recent weeks. Four news organizations, including The News-Times, have a filed a complaint with the Freedom of

Information Commission
over a closed session in February. Also, Rowland has lashed out at the committee for meeting in secret.
Rowland has acknowledged accepting gifts from political appointees and contractors who do business with the state. However, Rowland said he broke no laws, because those who gave gifts received no government favors in return.
Rep.
James O'Rourke
, co-chairman of the government administrations committee, lauded the impeachment panel's work thus far for its bipartisanship. "We're always protective of the public's right to know, but it's important we help you and give you the tools needed to conduct you're investigation," O'Rourke said.
Others who testified at the hearing against the legislation to close the process were several Connecticut newspaper editors, including
Rich Harris
, news editor for
the Associated Press
in
Connecticut and Kevin Crosbie
, editor of the
Willimantic Chronicle
and president of the
Connecticut Daily Newspaper Association
.
Mitch Pearlman
, executive director of the Freedom of
Information Committee
, also opposed the legislation, fearing it would lead to even greater secrecy in the impeachment process.
"If there are exceptions for the committee, they should be crafted with a scalpel, not with a sledgehammer," Pearlman said.